Operator - Machine - Metal and Plastic

Back

A Short Version of this test is available. Learn More
About the test

The Operator - Machine - Metal and Plastic Pre-Employment Assessment was designed to help you hire staff in this role. The test provides a whole-person evaluation by measuring job-relevant cognitive ability, personality, knowledge, skills, and relevant behavioral history. Each component provides important data for hiring decisions. Cognitive ability has been linked to overall job performance in most jobs and correlates with a candidate's ability to learn new skills and to solve complex problems. Personality characteristics determine how well the candidate will fit-in with a corporate culture. Knowledge and skills indicate how much training will be needed before a new employee becomes productive. Finally, relevant behavioral history detects counter-productive behaviors that can impact job performance.

The Operator - Machine - Metal and Plastic test includes an animated work simulation in which candidates meet customers, colleagues and supervisors in a job-related context. Post-test surveys indicate the majority of candidates react favorably to these simulations.

The specific attributes measured include:

Cognitive Ability
  • Analytical Thinking and Attention to Detail
  • Mechanical Aptitude
  Behavioral History
  • History Survey - Performance
  • History Survey - Tenure
Personality
  • Adaptability
  • Drive
  • Integrity
  • Resilience
  • Teamwork
 

Following completion, the test produces a Candidate Selection Report that includes an overall score and detailed scores for each attribute. The overall score weighs each of the factors based on research and analysis from the U.S. Government's Occupational Information Network (O*Net). O*Net represents over a decade of dedicated research evaluating the relative importance of various factors that lead to success in almost 1,000 different job roles.

The Candidate Selection Report also provides expert interview questions that help you probe critical or low-scoring areas, along with a guide for noting your evaluation of the candidate's responses. Consistent use of an interview guide is an important part of gaining better candidate insights and making better hiring decisions.

Language:English (US)
Time to Complete:45 Minutes (Approximately)
O*Net SOC Code:51-4031.00
Simulation Context:Technician-Oriented
O*Net Context:Production
About the job

Operator - Machine - Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.

Top activities and tasks for this job:
  • Measure completed workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, using micrometers, gauges, calipers, templates, or rulers.
  • Examine completed workpieces for defects, such as chipped edges or marred surfaces and sort defective pieces according to types of flaws.
  • Lubricate workpieces with oil.
  • Read work orders or production schedules to determine specifications, such as materials to be used, locations of cutting lines, or dimensions and tolerances.
  • Install, align, and lock specified punches, dies, cutting blades, or other fixtures in rams or beds of machines, using gauges, templates, feelers, shims, and hand tools.
  • Start machines, monitor their operations, and record operational data.
  • Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.
  • Adjust ram strokes of presses to specified lengths, using hand tools.

More information about this Job
Annual US Wages (2024)
Bottom 10%:
$35,000 or less
Bottom 25%:
$38,400 or less
Median:
$45,590 (Average)
Top 25%:
$52,150 or more
Top 10%:
$62,650 or more

Hourly US Wages (2024)
Bottom 10%:
$16.83 or less
Bottom 25%:
$18.46 or less
Median:
$21.92 (Average)
Top 25%:
$25.07 or more
Top 10%:
$30.12 or more

US Employment Statistics
2024:
174,700
2034 (projected):
153,600
Annual U.S. Job Openings:14,400

Top Knowledge Requirements
  • Production and Processing
  • Mechanical
  • English Language
  • Mathematics
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Education and Training
  • Design
  • Computers and Electronics
Top Skills
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Monitoring
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Learning
  • Writing
Top Abilities
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness
  • Near Vision
  • Control Precision
  • Manual Dexterity
  • Reaction Time
  • Information Ordering
  • Selective Attention
  • Visualization
Education Requirements
High School Diploma:
63%
Post-Secondary Certificate:
35%
This graphic shows the percentage of people in this role who have their highest education in each category.
Related Work Experience Requirements
None:
25%
Less than 1 Month:
10%
1 - 2 Years:
3%
2 - 4 Years:
49%
4 - 6 Years:
12%
This graphic shows the percentage of people in this role whose related work experience before they entered this position falls into each category.

Alternate Titles for this Role: Adjuster, Angle Shear Operator, Angle Shear Setup Operator, Arbor Press Operator, Automatic Punch Press Operator, Automatic Screwmaker, Automobile Bumper Straightener, Bander Operator, Banding Machine Operator, Bench Shear Operator, Bender Machine Operator, Bending Machine Setup Operator, Bending Roll Operator, Beveler, Billet Cutter, Billet Shearer, Blanker, Body Press Operator, Bolt Cutter, Brake Machine Operator, Brake Operator, Brake Press Operator, Brass Cutter, Bullet Assembly Press Operator, Calender Roll Press Operator, Can Cutter, Center Punch Operator, Clearance Cutter, Clincher, Clinching Machine Operator, Coil Cutter, Coil Shaper, Cold Saw Operator, Corner Former, Crimping Machine Operator, Crimping Press Operator, Cut Off Machine Operator, Cut Off Saw Setup Operator, Cutter, Cutting and Creasing Press Operator, Cutting Machine Operator, Debridging Machine Operator, Diamond Saw Operator, Dicer Operator, Die Cutter, Die Setter, Digital Press Operator, Dimpling Machine Operator, Dinkey Press Operator, Draw Press Operator, Drawing Press Operator, Duplicator Punch Operator, Duplicator Punch Setup Operator, Equipment Technician (Equipment Tech), Fabrication Machine Operator, Fabrication Operator, Fabricator, Filament Cutter, Finish Saw Operator, Flexographic Press Operator (Flexo Press Operator), Flying Shear Operator, Foot Press Operator, Forming Press Operator, Four Slide Machine Setter, Four Slide Operator, Friction Saw Operator, Gasket Former, Gasket Maker, Hack Saw Operator, Hammer Operator, Heavy Duty Press Operator, Hoop Puncher, Hot Dimpling Machine Operator, Hot Punch Press Operator, Hot Saw Operator, Hot Stamp Operator, Hydropress Operator, Iron Bender, Jigsawyer, Joggle Press Operator, Key Cutter, Kick Press Operator, Kick Press Setter, Knuckle Bender, Link Cutter, Machine Operator, Machine Setter, Machining Associate, Manufacturing Associate, Manufacturing Operator, Metal and Plastic Sawing Machine Tool Setter, Metal and Plastic Shear and Slitter Machine Setter, Metal Bending Machine Operator, Metal Bonding Press Operator, Metal Crimping Machine Operator, Metal Cut Off Saw Operator, Metal Cut Off Saw Tender, Metal Cutter, Metal Punch Press Operator, Metal Shaping Machine Operator, Metal Slitter, Metal Stamper, Metal Stamping Machine Operator, Metal Trimmer, Metal Tube Cutter, Metallic Yarn Slitting Machine Operator, Mottle Lay Up Operator, Nibbler Operator, Notcher, Notching Machine Operator, Nut Blanker Operator, Perforator Operator, Pierce and Shave Press Operator, Pipe Bender, Pipe Stem Sawyer, Planisher, Planishing Press Operator, Plastic Cutter, Plastic Press Operator, Plate Slitter and Inspector, Pneumatic Press Hand, Power Brake Operator, Power Press Tender, Press Brake Machine Operator, Press Brake Machine Setter, Press Brake Machine Setup Operator, Press Brake Operator, Press Brake Set Up Operator, Press Machine Operator, Press Operator, Press Setter, Press Setup Operator, Printed Circuit Board Die Setup Operator, Printed Circuit Board Panels Trimmer, Profile Saw Operator, Profile Saw Setup Operator, Profile Trimmer, Punch Machine Hand, Punch Machine Operator, Punch Operator, Punch Press Operator, Punch Press Setter, Rivet Hole Puncher, Rotary Shear Operator, Saw Operator, Sawyer, Scrap Cutter, Screw Cutter, Setter, Setup Operator, Setup Technician (Setup Tech), Shear Operator, Shear Setter, Shearman, Sheet Metal Fabricator, Shift Operator, Sinter Press Operator, Sintering Press Operator, Slasher, Slat Twister, Slitter Operator, Slitter Technician (Slitter Tech), Slitting Machine Operator, Snap Shearer, Spring Coiling Machine Setter, Spring Tester, Square Cutter, Stamp Press Operator, Stamping Operator, Stamping Press Operator, Steel Cutter, Straight Line Press Setter, Straightener, Straightener Operator, Straightening Machine Operator, Straightening Press Operator, Strip Metal Punch Operator, Swage Tender, Swaging Machine Adjuster, Sweep Press Operator, Table Saw Operator, Tablet Machine Operator, Tape Control Press Operator, Terminal Press Operator, Thermal Cutting Machine Operator, Tin Cutter, Toggle Press Operator, Trim Machine Adjuster, Trimmer Machine Operator, Trimming Machine Operator, Tube Cutter, Tubing Machine Tender, Turret Punch Press Operator, Vertical Contour Band Saw Operator, Vertical Punch Operator, Wheel Press Operator, Wheel Presser, Wire Coiner, Wire Cutter, Wire Machine Cutter, Wire Sawyer, Wire Straightener, Zipper Cutter, Zipper Trimmer

Related Jobs based on Skills & Abilities: Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing, Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand, Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners, Tool and Die Makers, Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood, Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, Machine Feeders and Offbearers, Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic, Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders, Industrial Machinery Mechanics
A Short Version of this test is available.  What's the Difference?

Candidates typically need about 45 minutes to complete our full-length job-specific assessments. Our short versions take less than half that time. Like our standard assessments, these tests are based on the U.S. Government Occupational Information Network (O*Net). They do not contain the animated simulation module, however, though they still provide valuable information about all critical performance-related dimensions. Additionally, the short versions optionally include 1-2 virtual video interview questions! Click below for more information:

Operator - Machine - Metal and Plastic (Short)

Version: 6, Created: 06/24/2026 4:47 PM,  (Internal Use) pid=6168, CTB Direct Test
Sign In to administer this Full version.

Read the Reviews
Read HR Avatar reviews on G2
"Amazing Service and Spot-On Testing"
"The value received far exceeds the price"
"Truly takes out the guess work"
"Hiring managers can easily understand the reports"


Chat with Us! Clear ×